Electric-conduit connection and coupling.



0. M. NEITZEL'. ELECTRIC GONDUIT CONNECTION AND COUPLING.

APPLICATION TILED MAY 3, 1909.

Patented June 20, 1911.

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ELECTRIC OONDUIT CONNECTION AND COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1909.

Patented June 20, 1911.

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i 45 boxes or couplers.

UNITED STATES PATENT onnrcn.

OTTO M. NEITZ EL, OF KINGFISHER, OKLAHOMA.

ELECTRIG-CONDUIT connncrron Ann COUPLIING. f

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 20, 19 11.

Application filed May 3, 1909. Serial No. 493,607.

and exact description of the invention, such as will enable-others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. j I

This invention relates to improvements in conduit connections and contemplates the construction of a new type of electric outlet boxes or condulets or couplings whereby a connection may be established between the conduit and an outlet box or another conduit by sing]? inserting the end of a conduit in an ou et boxor coupling provided with my mgrove ents. v

ne of the objects ofthe invention is the production of simple means for establishing a connection between conduits and outlet boxes by inserting the ends of conduits in openings provided for that purpose in the y be removed by unscrewing the same or by disengaging the securingmeans independently of the conduits.

Another object of the invention is the production of an outlet box or conduit coupling having a plurality of clutch springs arranged to allow the free insertion of a conduit end in a coupler or outlet box and to prevent the removal of said conduit from the coupler or outlet box when a direct strain or pull is exerted on said conduit.

Another object of the invention is the production of means for establishing a connection between electric conduits and outlet boxes or con lers to be adapted for use in connection with the diflferent styles-of outlet A still further object of the invention is the production of conduit securing means comprising a plate of-spring metal having a plurality of clutch springs formed or stamped thereon. j

A still further object of the invention is the production of conduit connecting means comprising a plurality of clutch springs adapted to be engaged with the ends of conduits and capable of being applied to tubular outlet boxes.

A still further object of the invention is the production of conduit connecting means comprising a plurality of spring clutch arms adapted to engage with the ends of conduits and capable of beingadjusted when secured to a tubular outlet box.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrange ments of parts as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the g appended claims.

. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a detail plan view of a fragment of an outlet box, showing my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing a limiting plate carried by the box which is omitted from the structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view of a modification showing the clutch springs formed by stamping the same out of a single plate adapted to serve as the front wall of the outlet box; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line l-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section of a modification showing a conduit in connected position; Fig. 6 is a similar view showing a conduitdisengaged; Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a vertical section of anothermodification; Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on line 99 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a covered conduit having an unthreaded end connected to an outlet box; 1

Fig. 11 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 12 is a central longitudinal section of a coupler arranged to connect two conduits; Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of a coupler shown in Fig. 12 with the hinged parts thereofshown in an open position and the conduit removed therefrom; Fig. 14 is a view of a rear wall plate of a conduit box with a part of. a conduit shown in. place thereagainst, the modification shown in this figure being particularly adapted for use invconnection with textile covered conduits; Fig. 15 shows a plan view of another modification the stop or bushing being omitted; Fig. 16 1s a central longitudinal section ofthe device shown In the accompanying drawings, which are prepared for illustrative purposes, I have described some of the preferred forms of my plurality of springs 3 and- 4 which are invention, but the application thereof should not be confined to the modifications and illustrations given.

In Fig. 1, the numeral 1 designate sthe 'front wall of an outlet box which is pro vided with the usual circular opening 2. A

formed with longitudinally disposed slots .5 and 6 are secured by means of screws or rivets 7 to the outlet box walll. The inner ends of the springs 3 and 4 are formed of a curvature corresponding to the curvature of a conduit and said ends are adapted to stand apart from the adjacent portions of the outletbox wall. A conduit may be inserted in the opening 2 and secured in place lto the wall 1 by simply forcing one end of said conduit through the opening and beyond the springs 3 and 4 which are adapted to engage with'theconduit end and wh1ch springs are secured to the inner side of the conduit After a conduit has been inserted-v in.

wall. the opening 2, any attempt to remove the same by pulling directly thereon will be resisted by the 1 springs 3 and 4 which are adapted to lock the conduit end to the outlet box wall and in order to remove the conduit, itwill be'necessa ry to unscrew the samein the usual manner, or in the case of conduits having unthreadedends the springs -3and 4 are provided with openings 8 which are adapted tov receive prongs of a releasing tool which may be inserted in corresponding openings formed in the outlet box wall 1. The wall 1 is also provided with an interiorly projecting bushing or stop plate 4.

In Fig. 3 and 4, I have illustratedv a modification of my invention comprising an outlet box wall formed with gripping springs 9 which are stamped thereon. ThlS arrange-.

ment provides for the production of an outlet box at a verylow cost and in all other respects its construction is identical with the construction illustrated in Figs 1 and 2.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7-, I have illustrated another. modification of my invention com- I prising a conduit coupler having a tubular I -to remove the conduit'from the coupler, the

portion 10 which. is provided with an internal shoulder 11 and which has secured on its lnner periphery a plurality of springs 12 and 13 which are held in place by rivets or screws 14 and which springs are formed with right-'angularly bent ends 15, said ends being curved to correspond with the curvature of a conduit end which is adapted to be secured thereto. The conduit is formed with longitudinal recesses to accommodate the springs 12 and 13. When it is desired to secure a conduit to the coupler 10, the end of said conduit is inserted in'the end of the' coupler and forced beyond the bent-ends of the gripping springs and .when it is desired same may be unscrewed therefrom, due to the fact that the springs are staggered in proportion to the teeth of a die for the corresponding size-of pipe, which holds good for both threaded and unthreaded conduit. In Fig. 8, I have illustrated a modification of my invention comprising the outlet box 17 which is provided with the usual conduit openings around which are secured 'a plurality of inner stop plates 19 and exteriorly posltioned gripping springs 20 which springs and plates are held in place on the outlet box by screws or rivets. 21. The op- "eration of the modification illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 is practically thesame as the operation of the" modifications previously described.

.In Figs. 10 and 11, I have illustrated a still further modification of my invention .comprising an outlet box provided with a bushing 23 and gripping springs 24 which are secured exteriorly of the outlet box by rivets or screws 25. -A condu1t 25 of the box by means of the springs 24.

. In Figs.'12I and 13, I have illustrated a mod' ation'of a conduit coupler. comprising a co ler formed with a pair of hinged sections 26 and*27. Section 26 is provided wit-h a spring strap 28 arranged on one of its edges and section 27 is provided with a laterally projecting lug 29 arranged on one' of its edges and in position to' be engaged by the strap 28 when the sections are .placed in closed position. Each of the sections 26 I and 27 is" provided with gripping springs 30 and 31 which have their" inner ends bent at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sections 26 and 27, said springs being secured by means. of rivets or equivalent devices to said sections. The sprlngs in these structures are staggered as in that shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. a

In Fig. 14, I have illustrated a rear wall plate 32 of a conduit outlet box which is formedwith a plurality of gripping springs 33 which. are arranged. to bear at equally spaced points upon a conduit end which may be inserted between said springs. The

springs 33 may be stamped on the plate 32 or may be secured by means of rivets or other devices thereto, and may be adapted. to clutch or grip a conduit provided with a textile or composition covering and when it is intended that the springs should be used steel armored type is secured to the outlet I the central button partially stamped out so that a few blows with a hammer will displace the button from the springs for en": gagement with the conduit 38 when placed 1 6 and 17 this type of juncture is shown in Having thus connection with a conduit. I preferably use a retaining or limiting member 39 which is provided with a tongue 41 defining the.

shoulders 40 oneither side thereof which are adapted to .engagethe inner side of the box 35 when the tongues are passed through the slots 42 formed in the box on either side of the central button. These tongues are bent downwardly so as toclamp the retaining member in position and the conduit rests thereon with its threaded sides or end in engagementwith the springs which are in this instance staggered as in the other figures of the drawing. A suitable central aperture 43 is formed in the supporting structure of the limiting member 39 for the passage'of the conductors. With this type of structure a solid front is presented until it is desired to enter the conduit into the box, when as above stated, the central button and springs may be displaced with a few blows from a hammer. In Fig. 17 I have illustrated ad-' ditional springs 44 fitted to the bushing 39. These. springs. are each preferably provided at one end with a rectangular opening through which the lugs 41 are inserted so that the springsrest, against the shoulders 40 and arein position to' grasp the threads upon the pipe 38, as shown in Fig. 17.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the 'invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended. explanation.

Variouschanges in the form, proportionand theminor detailspfi'construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of-the advantages of'this invention as defined in the appended claims.

nature of my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by letters-Patent is:

1. The combination of a support for an electric wire conduit having an aperture to witne'sses. descrlbed and ascertained the receive the end of the conduit, leaf springs carried by the support atv opposite sides of said aperture and disposed radially thereto and having inner concave free ends spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the aperture to grip the end of a conduit inserted therethrough, anda stop member .carried by the support beyond the springs and projecting across the aperture to limit the inward movement of the conduit through the same. v

.2. The combination of a support for an electric wire conduit having an aperture to receive the end of the conduit, leaf springs carried by the support at opposite sides of said aperture and disposed radially thereto and havinginner concave free ends spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the aperture to grip the end of aconduit insert-ed therethrough, and a detachable stop member carried by the support beyond. the springs and projecting across the aperture to limit the inward movement of the conduit through the same.

3. The combination of a support for an electric wire conduit having an aperture to receive the end of the conduit and openings at opposite sides of said aperture, l'eaf springs carried by the support and having concave free-ends spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the aperture to grip the end of a conduit inserted therethrough, and a stop member projecting across the aperture to limit the inward movement of the conduit through the same and having spaced tongues adapted to pass through the openings in the support and engage the .face of the support whereby to secure the "stop member'thereto. I

In; testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing OTTO M. NEITZEL. 

